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Game 107 Open Thread -- July 27, 2008

Adam1_tiny by houstoncardinal on in News

lohse

santana

12-2, 3.35

8-7, 3.05
Who is this Santana guy? Seriously. It wasn’t that long ago where he was widely regarded as the best starter in the majors, then he’s traded to New York of all places, and has, ostensibly, fallen under the radar. He’s having a good season, to be sure, but it seems to be remarkably un-Santana-like. He has a 3.05 ERA but only a 3.77 FIP. Kyle Lohse’s is better (3.60). And Santana has moved from the "Homer-Dome" to a very pitcher-friendly ballpark. He’s "only" striking out 7.79 batters per nine. His average, coming into this season, for his career was 9.50 K/9. His BB/9, though still good at 2.47 is the highest since 2003. His HR/9 is higher than his career average and his WHIP is the highest it’s been since 2002 – and it’s not like his BABIP is out of line w/ his career norms (.294 vs. .287).

Don’t get me wrong – he’s still a very good pitcher and certainly better than anyone we’ve got in our rotation right now. Maybe he’s feeling a little pressure from the big contract. Another explanation is that he did turn 29 and maybe he’ll continue to be a very good pitcher, but the days of him being an elite starter may be behind him. Who knows?

I’m hoping that last night’s victory and Pujols’ blast last night give the team a little momentum to turn this ship around. The pen has given up a 9th or 10th inning homerun in 5 of the last 6 games. With the trade deadline looming, I’m hoping that all the "Wainwright to closer" stuff is simply posturing to get the price tag for Fuentes, Sherrill, or Street down some.

C’mon Boys! It’d be nice to end this week w/ a series victory and Lohse is pitching as well as anybody!

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Strikouts are fascist

Santana has decided to adopt the Duncan democratic philosophy of pitching: throw more groundballs. His GB% is up from 38% last season (and 38.3% for his career) to 44% in 2008. Hopefully, some of these grounders snake through the Metropolitan infield for base knocks this afternoon on Long Island.

Coincidentally, Lohse’s GB% is up from 36.9% last season (and 41.6% for his career) to 48.3% under the democratic tutelage of David Duncan. His K/9 has fallen off as well to 4.69 from a career average of 5.57.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:06 PM EDT   0 recs

hey buddy

re: I’m hoping that all the “Wainwright to closer” stuff is simply posturing to get the price tag for Fuentes, Sherrill, or Street down some.

Actually, despite our conversation earlier on another thread, I totally agree with you on this. I’m only for Waino as the last resort for the bullpen. Fuentes is fun to watch, I’ll say that. Who is the best among the three you named, I don’t know…...but I’ll take any of the three.

Going out for a few hours. I hope I can catch the last few innings…....or do I? Let’s hope a little positive momentum has returned to the Cards.

by ccthemovieman on Jul 27, 2008 1:12 PM EDT   0 recs

This thread is lacking
Some lucky haiku action
Hopefully this helps

by notmorganfreeman on Jul 27, 2008 1:13 PM EDT   0 recs

In seventh inning
Pujols bomb only good news
One more series lost

by houstoncardinal on Jul 27, 2008 3:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

After a great ab from Ryan making Santana throw 6 pitches

we see 2 pitches and make 3 outs…

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 1:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Yep, 8 pitches in the first inning.

Not good. They are apparently not going to make Santana work for it.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yea

need to be more patient. both pens are down, make him throw seems a good plan

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, perhaps you haven't grasped the situation!

by sportsman on Jul 27, 2008 1:16 PM EDT   0 recs

Anyone else with Extra Innings having trouble finding the game?

I am, unfortunately, stuck at work and following on Gameday. But my fiance is at home and wondering why he cannot get the game. Anyone know what is going on?

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by ChiTown CardFan on Jul 27, 2008 1:16 PM EDT   0 recs

i couldnt find it either

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 27, 2008 1:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

coming through as game 11 for me

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, perhaps you haven't grasped the situation!

by sportsman on Jul 27, 2008 1:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

are you on direct tv?

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 27, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yes.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by ChiTown CardFan on Jul 27, 2008 1:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i have direct tv also

and cant find it

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 27, 2008 1:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

the schedule doesnt have it listed

so i guess we are SOL

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 27, 2008 1:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Mets broadcast is terrible.

They have no idea who is playing where, what the lineup looks like … it is like the whole broadcast crew came to the park 15 min. before game time.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:17 PM EDT   0 recs

+1

Some people may not like Dan an Al, but I think they are as good as any teams group and better than most.

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 1:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i think anyone you listen to daily will sound stale after a while

but i still think al is inane and provides very little real insight, especially for an ex-player.

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, perhaps you haven't grasped the situation!

by sportsman on Jul 27, 2008 1:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, I am not a fan of Dan and Al either, but they are better than this Mets group.

There are some really good ones around the league (Brenneman in Cincy, Scully in LA) that really make watching the game enjoyable.

This Met’s group wouldn’t be so bad if Hernandez was not the color guy that had to comment on everything. Their announcer is actually not horrible, but Hernandez is just an idiot and feels he needs to exhibit is lack of intelligence on nearly every pitch.

I don’t understand when the definition of “color guy” went from someone that knows more than me and explains the details of the game to a “colorful character.” I wish we would go back to the former, rather than the latter, definition.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

HC

You said this:

And Santana has moved from the “Homer-Dome” to a very pitcher-friendly ballpark.

But it looks to me like the “Homer-Dome” and Shea have very comparable multi-year park factors, for what that’s worth.

by jdub176 on Jul 27, 2008 1:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Ventilation

That’s just because they rig it so the fans blow in while the visitors are at the bat and out while the Twinkies are up.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thank you CArlos

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 27, 2008 1:25 PM EDT   0 recs

3-0 dp

a very nice present

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 27, 2008 1:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

18 pitches in the first

Hopefully we get some groundball outs early in the count from the Mets’ batsmen next inning.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:26 PM EDT   0 recs

thank you delgado

They say I look like yadier molina

by ANDYAK47 on Jul 27, 2008 1:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ball 2 was a strike

right down the middle

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jul 27, 2008 1:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Only 5 outs into it

But, Santana and CC have similar M.O.’s, to be sure. Hopefully, we can muster some offense toward the end of Santana’s outing.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He has only thrown 18 pitches.

There may not be an end to Santana’s outing.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That's the problem with guys like Santana and Sabathia

You want to preach for players to work the count, but those guys throw strikes, so if they try to work a count they just end up in 0-2 or 1-2 holes. The only way to beat guys like this is with talent trumping talent.

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 27, 2008 1:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Class Catch 22

You’re damned if you swing, damned if you don’t.

Won’t it be nice to have a pair of aces that other clubs’ fans have the same sentiment about? (Crossing fingers, praying that Carp and Wainwright come back healthy and effective.)

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

Can’t wait for Carp and Waino back and hopefully healthy

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 27, 2008 1:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

he is batting 9th i believe

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 1:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, the Mets broadcast made a big deal out of the fact he was not playing

but then they showed him playing center. They also showed the pitcher batting 9th. Basically, do not believe anything from the Mets broadcasters today. They are just guessing.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Glaus is starting to struggle again boys

They say I look like yadier molina

by ANDYAK47 on Jul 27, 2008 1:33 PM EDT   0 recs

That's just what Troy Glaus is

hot streaks and cold streaks

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 27, 2008 1:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

How was that not strike 3 to Castro?

I hate umpires

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 27, 2008 1:39 PM EDT   0 recs

I would not give castro anything to hit

They say I look like yadier molina

by ANDYAK47 on Jul 27, 2008 1:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It was off the plate.

Pretty far actually. It was the right call. Lohse was nibbling.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

High pitch count

Not good. The weary ‘pen will be thrown to the lions again in this contest.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:42 PM EDT   0 recs

I love Izturis' glove and all

but these automatic outs are driving me insane!

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jul 27, 2008 1:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Middling Middle Infielders

The problem is that we don’t get much from either second or short. You just can’t sacrifice “O” for “D” at two positions in the NL. It gives us three black holes in the lineup with the pitcher.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

6 pitches that inning for Santana

24 total.

Like they want him to throw a complete game.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 1:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Lohse is gonna have to get through 7 today somehow

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 1:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

At this rate

Santana could get through 9 innings with less than 90 pitches thrown.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:48 PM EDT   0 recs

and it was so close

at least they got together to make the call

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jul 27, 2008 1:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Speed kills

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 1:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Tough AB by Wright

We need a couple of these.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:54 PM EDT   0 recs

Walk Delgado?

Set up DP?

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 1:55 PM EDT   0 recs

I sure would

he can’t hit one out if they walk him. I am tired of Delgado too

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jul 27, 2008 1:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

dang

if only Skippy had got it to Ryan on the fly

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jul 27, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think they were trying to

Molina set up way outside there but Lohse left it too close

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Too close or too up?

Were they hoping for a harmless grounder to second, but left it up, allowing Delgado to lift it in the air for the sacrifice fly to CF?

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 2:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well the replay showed Molina in the outside batters box and reaching back to the plate

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 2:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Watching on Gameday at work

So, I defer to you. Poor execution by Lohse. Now, a 2-run hole versus Johan. That’s a tough one to dig out of…

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 2:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Reply on Gameday

He got too much of the plate and left it up. Poor pitch.

by bgh on Jul 27, 2008 2:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Man o man

It is like we are sleepwalking out there today.

by Egyptian on Jul 27, 2008 2:00 PM EDT   0 recs

I sure am happy that the umpire made the right call

on Pujols’ tag at first base.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on Jul 27, 2008 2:00 PM EDT   0 recs

that was a damn close play

wouldn’t you agree we have seen a lot worse umping than that lately?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jul 27, 2008 2:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

"I'm picking up on your sarcasm"

"A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while."- Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh

by CurtainCall on Jul 27, 2008 2:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Through three innings...

26 pitches for Santana, 64 for Lohse.

And another first pitch out.

by notmorganfreeman on Jul 27, 2008 2:04 PM EDT   0 recs

how could you not have that feeling?

we look very bad

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jul 27, 2008 2:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

This is why Lohse is definitely not an Ace

he’s been a good #2 this year, but an ace is a pitcher you can count on to save your bullpen in a game like this. Lohse is not that pitcher

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jul 27, 2008 2:07 PM EDT   0 recs